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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






2. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






3. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






4. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






5. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






6. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






7. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






8. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






9. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






10. A repeated phrase.






11. Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.






12. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






13. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






14. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






15. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






16. The unit of musical rhythm.






17. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






18. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






19. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






20. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






21. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






22. The unit of musical rhythm.






23. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






24. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






25. Unmusical - without tone.






26. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






27. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






28. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






29. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






30. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






31. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.






32. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






33. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






34. A repeated phrase.






35. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






36. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






37. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






38. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






39. A combination of two or more staves on which all the notes are vertically aligned and performed simultaneously in differing registers and instruments.






40. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






41. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






42. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






43. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






44. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






45. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






46. A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free.






47. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






48. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






49. The highest female voice.






50. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.